Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 24 September 2024 | Download PDF

• The Food Import Rejection Alerts (FIRA) portal was launched during the Global Food Regulators Summit 2024 held at Bharata Mandapam New Delhi held by FSSAI.

Key points:

• Developed by FSSAI
• Objective: FIRA aims to provide a systematic approach for notifying stakeholders about food import rejections at Indian borders. 
• The FIRA portal serves as a central platform for food safety regulators, importers, and consumers. 
• By facilitating real-time notifications about rejected food imports, it promotes greater transparency and accountability in the food supply chain.

• The 2024 Quad Leaders’ Summit, held on September 21 in Delaware, USA, brought together the heads of state of these countries for discussions on various initiatives aimed at addressing current geopolitical issues, maritime security, and health concerns, as well as promoting cooperation in STEM education. 

Key Initiatives:

MAITRI (Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific):

• Focus: Training Quad partners to secure waters, enforce laws, deter unlawful behavior.
• India to host the first MAITRI workshop in 2025.

Cancer Moonshot Initiative:

• Quad collaboration to combat cervical cancer.
• India commits $10 million for cervical cancer screening.
• Serum Institute of India and Gavi to provide 40 million vaccines, subject to approvals.

Maritime Security & Legal Support:

• Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission (2025): To improve interoperability and maritime safety.
• Future coast guard missions planned post-2025.
• Launch of maritime legal dialogue to uphold rules-based order.

Condemnation of Aggression:

• Strong language against aggression in the East and South China Seas.
• Reference to China’s actions with the Philippines at the Sabina shoal.
• Opposition to militarization and intimidation in disputed maritime areas.
• Condemnation of disruptions to offshore resource exploitation by other nations.

Ukraine Conflict:

• Deep concern over the ongoing war in Ukraine.
• Reiterated support for UN Charter principles: sovereignty, territorial integrity, just and lasting peace.

Logistics & STEM Education:

• Logistics Network Pilot Project: Sharing airlift capacity for disaster response.
• Quad Fellowship Expansion: 50 scholarships worth $500,000 for STEM education in government-funded institutions in India.

About:

• The Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) is a strategic alliance between four nations: India, the United States, Japan, and Australia. 
• The group’s focus is on promoting peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region, while also addressing global challenges like health and technology.

• India and Brazil, as two leading biofuel producers, decided to collaborate on production and use of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF).

About:

• SAF is a type of biofuel specifically designed to power aircraft. Unlike conventional jet fuels derived from fossil fuels, SAF is produced from renewable resources such as plant or animal materials, municipal waste, and agricultural residues.
• Emissions Reduction: SAF can potentially reduce carbon emissions by up to 65% compared to traditional jet fuel, with next-generation SAF capable of achieving reductions of 85-95%.

• A bathymetric study is currently being conducted in and around the Pallikaranai marshland, aimed at evaluating the volume of sludge that can be dredged.

Importance of Bathymetric Study:

• Bathymetry, the measurement of underwater topography, is crucial for creating detailed maps that help determine water storage capacity and flood patterns. 
• This study is vital for various applications, including wetland design, restoration, land use planning, and establishing legal boundaries.

Challenges:

• It faces considerable human-induced pressures such as encroachments and sewage discharge.
• To ensure scientific rigor, the Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority has partnered with the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) to examine various locations within the marsh. 

About:

• Pallikaranai Marshland is a freshwater marsh and partly saline wetland situated in the city of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. 
• It serves as an aquatic buffer of the flood-prone Chennai and Chengalpattu districts.
• It is designated as a Ramsar site in 2022.

Key Facts about Pallikaranai Marshland:

• It encompasses 65 wetlands, through two outlets, Okkiyam Madavu and the Kovalam Creek.
• The marshland supports some 115 bird species, ten mammals, 21 reptiles, ten amphibians, 46 fish, nine molluscs, five crustaceans, and seven butterfly species

• On September 20, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued a circular permitting mutual funds (MFs) to sell credit default swaps (CDS). 
• This decision aims to enhance liquidity in the corporate bond market.

About:

• A credit default swap is a financial derivative that enables investors to transfer or offset their credit risk with another party. 
• By allowing the sale of CDS, SEBI aims to facilitate better risk management among mutual funds.

Regulatory Conditions:

• To maintain market stability, SEBI has set specific regulations regarding the exposure of CDS held by mutual funds. Key conditions include:
• The exposure to CDS must not exceed the exposure to debt securities.
• If mutual funds decide to sell their debt securities, they are required to close their CDS positions within 15 days of the sale, along with adhering to other technical regulations.

• The Solarising Rourkela initiative, aimed at replacing 30 percent of conventional energy with solar energy by 2030, is set for a major boost. 
• Rourkela is one of three cities in Odisha chosen by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) as a model for solar energy generation.
• The initiative supports the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY) and aligns with the state’s Renewable Energy (RE) Policy.
• Other two cities are: Bhubaneswar and Sundargarh.

About:

• • The “Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar” scheme is a solar rooftop scheme launched by the Indian government. 
  • It aims to provide free electricity to households in India. 
  • The households will be able to get 300 units of electricity free every month.
• The scheme provides up to 70% subsidy on the cost of grid-connected solar rooftops to consumers.

• The scheme was launched by Modi on February 15, 2024. 
• Under the scheme, households will be provided with a subsidy to install solar panels on their roofs

• • Three faculty members from Fakir Mohan University have been included in the list of top 2% scientists in the world for 2024. 
• This prestigious recognition was awarded by Stanford University and published by Elsevier

• The three scientists are Prof Pankaj Kumar Parhi of the Chemistry department, Dr Gouranga C Samanta of Mathematics, and Dr Manojit Bhattacharya of Zoology. 

• The Devi Awards, a prestigious recognition for women who have made significant contributions to their fields, celebrated its 28th edition in Bhubaneswar in 2024. 
• The event showcased the dynamic and dazzling achievements of 14 women from Odisha, across diverse areas such as journalism, social work, science, and arts.   
• Those who were awarded include:
• Craftswoman instrumental in reviving the lacquer craft Pravati Patro
• The first Indian to receive the prestigious International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry Award Jyotirmayee Mohanty
• Moderniser of Santali textile tradition Lipsa Hembram
• The youngster who prioritized menstrual hygiene among tribal Koraput girls Jayanti Buruda.
• Educator par excellence Poly Patnaik
• Cultural enabler who breathed new life into Chhau Subhasree Mukherjee.
• Passionate Odissi dancer Madhulita Mohapatra
• Advocate for Odia handloom and handicrafts Amrita Sabat
• The Rasagola Lady who enabled the GI tag for several products unique to Odisha Anita Sabat
• The filmmaker revitalized the Odia movie industry with original content by Peenakee Singh Rajput.
• Spirited crusader for gender justice Manasi Pradhan
• The doyen of Odia classical music Shyamamani Devi
• Farmer-activist Sabarmatee 
• Palliative care specialist Dr Mami Parija.

About:

• • The Devi Awards are a prestigious annual award ceremony honoring exceptional women who have made significant contributions to their fields. 
• The awards are presented by The New Indian Express Group and aim to celebrate the achievements of women who have demonstrated dynamism, innovation, and positive impact on society.

• The Odisha CM launched 158 projects worth over Rs 987 crore during a district-level function to mark the completion of 100 days of his government at a programme in Keonjhar district.
• These projects encompass diverse sectors such as transport, healthcare, infrastructure, and railway development. 
• Also, the state’s first grievance cell camp was opened in Keonjhar.
• The highlight of the event was the announcement of a trauma care center at the Dharinidhar Medical College. 
• This significant initiative aims to enhance healthcare facilities in the region and provide critical medical care.

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